“Fighting Republicanism” on immigration reform: Learning from a bad example

posted at 2:31 pm on November 2, 2013 by Karl

Ronald Reagan liked to tell the story of the optimistic boy who, when shown a room filled with a mountain of horse dung, looked for the pony. It is with that metaphor in mind that I bring you a tale of Fighting Repubicanism on the issue of immigration reform.

Our tale is set in Colorado’s 6th Congressional District, which could be the tightest House race in 2014. Once represented by Tom Tancredo, the seat is currently held by Republican Rep. Mike Coffman, who faces a challenge from Democrat Andrew Romanoff, the carpetbagging former Speaker of the Colorado House.

Post-redistricting, the 6th has become more liberal and Hispanic. Republican Coffman, who first won the seat opposing “comprehensive immigration reform,” now favors it. He explains his shift by claiming meetings with his new Hispanic constituents “really put a face” on the issue. Politics being what it is, you might be forgiven some skepticism about Coffman’s epiphany.

Ironically, the story is not much different for Democrat Romanoff. As Speaker, Romanoff was the driving force of a 2006 Special Session which passed anti-illegal immigration legislation then termed the “toughest in the nation” by The Washington Post. He too has had a change of heart on the issue.

Given the stakes in 2014, it is entirely unsurprising that Coffman has been targeted by the Latino Victory Project — a national committee co-founded by Eva Longoria and run by Cristóbal Alex (who has the seemingly obligatory Soros affiliation on his resume) — which plans to spend $20 million in 10 competitive House races. What is surprising was the response from the NRCC:

“If this partisan and hypocritical group really cares about comprehensive immigration reform, they would attack Andrew Romanoff’s lengthy anti-immigration voting record from his days as Speaker of the Colorado House,” said Tyler Q. Houlton, spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee. “Mike Coffman has done everything in his power to help undocumented children and students earn citizenship through common sense policy proposals.”

Whatever you might think about that second sentence, the pony is in the first one. For far too long, the Democrats have posed as the party of immigration reform, even as their actions told a different story. Indeed, a cynic might conclude the Democrats have been far more interested in race-baiting than legislating when it comes to immigration reform. And the media has been all too happy to go along.

There may be no more egregious example of this than President Obama. In 2008, running against Mavericky John McCain, candidate Obama had the gall to attack McCain on the issue — and McCain’s response was to essentially blame the GOP. In reality, at the behest of Big Labor, Obama was a deciding vote in killing the immigration reform McCain championed, via a “poison pill” called the Dorgan Amendment. Indeed, given the 49-48 vote, it’s worth noting that Hillary Clinton, as well as top Senate Dems Harry Reid and Dick Durbin, all killed immigration reform in 2007. There were those on the McCain campaign who sought to correct the record, but the media much preferred to tout McCain’s attacks on the grassroots. (Shocka!)

As president, Obama continued in much the same mold. He refused to pursue immigration reform, even when he had a Democratic House and a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate. He decided to disregard immigration law to pander to the Hispanic vote in 2012. And the media (save Univision) allowed him to pretend he was really interested in reform.

When this is your baseline, the NRCC’s willingness to call out the hypocrisy of Democrats on immigration is at least a good first step (even if you disagree with Coffman’s latest position supporting reform). GOPers would also likely benefit from highlighting support for fixing the problems with the legal immigration bureaucracy.

Indeed, Republicans and conservatives who oppose amnesty could go on offense with their own basic position regarding illegal immigration. Sixty-two percent of Americans say that border security should be the main focus of US immigration policy. Given that even the same basic percentage of Hispanic voters agrees with the “border security first” approach, Republicans ought to be making the case that Democrats are the obstacles to any compromise, just as they were in 2007. They could add that Obama’s track record of bad faith makes compromise impossible. And only eleven percent of voters think people who want to secure the border and prevent illegal immigration are racist, which makes it inexcusable that the GOP and its candidates fail to more forcefully call out Democrats, their media mouthpieces and Republican fellow travelers for their extremist race-baiting on the issue. Indeed, the example of Rep. Steve Pearce (R-NM) demonstrates that politicians who legitimately engage Hispanic constituents and sell themselves can win, even with a hardline position on illegal immigration.

When it comes to immigration reform, the pony is there, for anyone who wants to see it.

Breaking on Hot Air

Blowback

Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.

That Pic says it all. If you insist on breaking this nations laws then we not only don’t want your vote but we also don’t want you as neighbors.

Why would you treat your race and nationality so poorly as to abuse it to sell your votes? Have you all no shame or dignity left that you would stoop so low as to put yourselves up for sale to the lowest morality bidder?

Indeed, the example of Rep. Steve Pearce (R-NM) demonstrates that politicians who legitimately engage Hispanic constituents and sell themselves can win, even with a hardline position on illegal immigration.

…that would take work!…the people who want to cave…don’t want to work!

You keep treating immigration reform and amnesty for illegals as if they are the same thing. THEY ARE NOT! Yes, we should reform the immigration process. Currently, it’s stupid, wasteful, expensive, and doesn’t work very well. But, in no case, should illegals be granted citizenship — or even have their status changed to “legal.” Do not kick every legal immigrant in the gonads by rewarding lawbreakers.

Indeed, Republicans and conservatives who oppose amnesty could go on offense with their own basic position regarding illegal immigration. Sixty-two percent of Americans say that border security should be the main focus of US immigration policy. Given that even the same basic percentage of Hispanic voters agrees with the “border security first” approach, Republicans ought to be making the case that Democrats are the obstacles to any compromise, just as they were in 2007. They could add that Obama’s track record of bad faith makes compromise impossible.

The issue isn’t ‘immigration’ or ‘immigration reform’ per se, it’s dealing with the issue of the legal immigration and the separate and larger issue of illegal immigration / amnesty.

Few are more opposed to amnesty than legal immigrants to this country – those who spent the time and effort to legally immigrate to the US. We hold those who came illegally, refusing to stand in line with the rest of us, who generally refuse to assimilate and see the country as only a source of funds that the are somehow entitled to.

Far too many in the GOP not only refuse to call out the Democrats for their hypocrisy / double standards, but also refuse to differentiate between legal and illegal immigration as being two separate issues.

We can reform and do more to encourage legal immigration to this country – but we also need to do far more to ensure not only border security, but also the enforcement of the current laws regarding visa violations.

We also shouldn’t have to give amnesty to millions, most of whom were encouraged to come here by a neighboring country seeking to export their poor, undereducated, and potential problems to us, so they could in turn flow billions back into that country every year.

People need to understand that “border security” is only one part of the necessary “enforcement” measures. Some act as if “building a fence” is a solution. Fences are great around high-traffic areas where many avoid the official crossing points, they are easy to monitor and keep in repair. Rural areas are quite different: putting sufficient border patrol on the ground to prevent breaches is very expensive, and they don’t stop tunnels.

But a bigger problem is tracking temporary visas for tourism, business, and students. We don’t do it, at all. And a huge part of any enforcement program must be e-Verify, which has been proven to work and could be implemented nationwide in no more than 18 months, not the ten years envisioned by the odious Schumer-Rubio bill.

Enforcement also means enforcing the penalties for violators, including deportation of illegals apprehended and fines for those who knowingly employ them.

In time this pitch for us to pander to the illegal “vote” will get stronger and stronger after amnesty and more and more illegals… flood in to this country.

And we won’t be able to stop it, because every politician will be subject to the line that will only get more intimidating every year: “Do you want our vote?” And then there will be more and more illegals fertile new citizens voting, and they will always demand a more open border and instant citizenship for anyone from Mexico that wants to come here. Eventually the border won’t really be in effect any more. No US and Mexico. We are one. And, in a redistributive socialist scheme, the resources and businesses of those that have labored to build this country will be shifted to those down south, and to those that have come from down south. It’s our last chance now to have any hope of trying to stop this takeover of our country from the inside out. Job one: stop the biggest amnesty traitors to the Republican party, foremost among them is Rino Paul Ryan.

A new voting block for the Dems. They’ll never vote GOP unless they start giving them free stuff. Why pander to people who are in an illegal status right out of the gate. Same with the 92% of the blacks who vote Den.

The Republicans need to tread lightly here. First, they should be FOR immigration reform. There is no doubt our immigration system is broken and needs a fix. However, making a bunch of illegals eligible for citizenship is not a path to immigration reform and they need to understand that.

Their problem, and it’s always their problem, they have to say they’re for reform and for getting it right. It’s really pretty simple, if you’re there just to make citizens out of illegals, then what happens when it’s the Costa Ricans or Guatemalans coming who will replace those becoming citizens now, their citizenship is diminished, along with all of those who try to become citizens the right way, and go through the process. However, none of these people deserve the treatment they are receiving from a country that just can’t seem to secure it’s borders and allow for an orderly flow of immigrants to enter, get work permits and, if the desire, become citizens.

A good start would be to get about 5 Ellis Islands along the Mexican border and have them capable of processing people who want to enter the country to work. There are many here who have no intention of becoming citizens, they only want to support their families, we shouldn’t have a problem with them doing that.

Indeed, Republicans and conservatives who oppose amnesty could go on offense with their own basic position regarding illegal immigration. Sixty-two percent of Americans say that border security should be the main focus of US immigration policy. Given that even the same basic percentage of Hispanic voters agrees with the “border security first” approach

What is it, Karl? Are you against amnesty or do you just wanna get something in exchange? Seems like you have a “yes, but…” position on amnesty and thats not opposition.

And this position is a rotten deal and a sham, pushed by the pro-K-Street establishment: we give up something permanent and substantial, for a promise. Unlike legalization – which will never be undone once achieved by the left – “border security” is easily undone, undermined or can even deteriorate despite the governments best efforts. And thats asuming that politicians dont just go the easy way and manipulate the metrics to make it appear as if “border security” has been achieved, while nothing has changed on the ground.

Everybody who calls himself conservative and peddles this crap should be ashamed.

And then there will be more and more illegals fertile new citizens voting, and they will always demand a more open border and instant citizenship for anyone from Mexico that wants to come here, and that redistribution $ and resources be funneled to them.

And remember, there’s no way that Republicans will ever be able to compete with the Dems in pandering to the illegals.

The Dems will always go all the way in a full pander: the Dems will agree with the demands of the coalition of new citizens and liberals for unlimited new immigration, for ultimately a de facto merging of the US and Mexico, and to full redistribution of $ and power. The Dems will be at one with the new immigrants, but the Repubs will always pull up short of the Dems. We will not ever get the vote of the illegals. That’s a pipe dream. The only way for us to win on this is to unapologetically insist that the illegals obey the existing law.

So..Latino Pro Immigration groups have resorted to extortion in order to garner a pardon…AND CITIZENSHIP… for those who chose to willfully shatter federal immigration law, as well as any law, state or federal, that got in their way.

Recently members of the pro amnesty group and open borders groups have suggested that their would be massive ‘demonstrations’ and even riots in our major cities. Members of congress have leveled this same threat and promised that the lawlessness of this group will only escalate.

Begs the question: how long until we see violent riots in our cities if we refuse to acquiesce to the demands of this group of 11 million criminals and the millions more who aid and abet them in that criminality?

Latino Victory Project — a national committee co-founded by Eva Longoria and run by Cristóbal Alex (who has the seemingly obligatory Soros affiliation on his resume) — which plans to spend $20 million in 10 competitive House races.

I will have to save this info and repost it in “The Movie of the Week” thread tomorrow when inevitably someone heckles some of the posters for not wanting to contribute to Hollywood and pay to see their wares.

This lawlessness, and pandering to those who have demonstrated a clear disregard for the rule of law must end… before the wanton lawlessness of the illegal aliens, the pro amnesty groups, and the open borders groups escalates to full blown rioting that will cost billions in damages, police hours, injuries and, perhaps, even innocent lives.

Any group that has demonstrated clearly that it has no regard for the rule of law, or the rights of others, that will resort to open extortion to achieve it’s goals will eventually resort to open violence in pursuit of those goals.

The notion that the Latino community would vote in large numbers for the Republican party is a fantasy. The Latino community largely likes big government. This is a community all about ‘What can you do for me? What can you give me?’ and service to country, national loyalty, obviously, means nothing to them.

The notion that a community of people who willfully shattered federal law, and every state law that got in their way, and were handsomely rewarded for doing so, would ever become model citizens and pay their taxes and live within the law is fantasy. Illegal aliens have clearly demonstrated that they have no respect for the rule of law or the rights of the citizens of this nation. Rewarding lawlessness only breeds more lawlessness.

Enforce existing federal immigration law. Secure the borders. To do anything less will only serve to further erode our sovereignty and the rule of law.

Begs the question: how long until we see violent riots in our cities if we refuse to acquiesce to the demands of this group of 11 million criminals and the millions more who aid and abet them in that criminality?

thatsafactjack

It’s pretty sad that so many on our side agree with rewarding them for such behavior, which then begs another question: How long until they resort to extortion to get something else they want? I suspect not long at all.

My point was exactly what I wrote: (a) Border security is the actually popular position; and (b) the GOP can point out the Democrats’ track record precludes compromise. But my larger point was the one thing on which the right ought to have consensus is pointing out the chasm between what Democrats say on illegal immigration, and what they have done.

As long as “Reform” is a euphemism for giving up current laws for promises of future enforcement, the answer must always be a resolute “No, we will not lay down. No, we will not sell our future to a roll of the dice”.

Perfect opportunity for an Operation Bolt movement.If I lived in that district I would stay home on Election Day and send a message to Coffman and the GOP-act like a Democrat and you don’t get conservative votes.Time for conservatives to get a pair!

This is MY district. I live in Colorado’s 6th. My spouse and I have supported Coffman with our $$ and our votes in the past. If he votes for amnesty – We are going to look for someone else to support. I will be my first protest vote. No time like the present to start.

The fact is, this legalization will HURT the EXISTING HISPANIC community of citizens and Legal immigrants. It will increase competitiveness for jobs and depress their wages. It will place additional burdens on already stretched public resources, which will make it harder to support the existing, legal community of Hispanics.

ObamaCare
Amnesty
NSA spying
Fast and Furious
Bengazie
The Rules of Engagement for the fighting men.
The debt running higher and higher.
The bank bail out on our dime.
Even now Obama signs a fraud order on the 100% lie and fraud of the global warming/climate change/ hockey stick to tax U.S. on a myth of made up tree rings.

Only question left is , will we fight back and keep our freedom, justice and constitution.

My point was exactly what I wrote: (a) Border security is the actually popular position; and (b) the GOP can point out the Democrats’ track record precludes compromise. But my larger point was the one thing on which the right ought to have consensus is pointing out the chasm between what Democrats say on illegal immigration, and what they have done.

Karl on November 2, 2013 at 5:26 PM

To what end Karl? To make them live up to their word on immigration, so that they will go through with it next time? Ill citicize Obummer and Hillary for a lot, but certainly not for voting against John McCains nutty amnesty ideas.

There was no pony for us in 1986, why would there be one today?The political power that non voting illegal aliens have in our government is truly amazing. One can only wonder at the power they will have at their fingertips once they can vote.

Democrats can also be attacked..and should be…for duplicity on Obamacare vs immigration. They insis that we must comply with Obamacare because it is the law but resis every attempt to enforce the immigration LAWS,